Following is the chronology of events since the Volcker Committee -- set up by the United Nations to inquire into the irregularities in the oil-for-food programme -- named former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh, the Congress party and several Indian companies as beneficiaries of the scandal:

Nov 3: BJP writes to the prime minister, asks him to drop Natwar and seeks investigation into the episode. Government hints at ordering probe. Masefield AG Co denies any connection with Natwar, Jagat Singh.

Nov 5: Natwar remains defiant, says he has support of the prime minister. Natwar denies Volcker's assertion that everyone was notified; says he was not informed. Government asks India's Permanent Representative to the UN Nirupam Sen to meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Paul Volcker to find out the truth. Dr Singh consults cabinet colleagues to decide on how to go about instituting a transparent probe.

Nov 6: PM holds talks with Sonia Gandhi, Natwar meets Manmohan Singh. BJP demands CBI probe into Volcker report. Government appoints a Special Envoy to collect materials on the allegations made in the Volcker Committee report. Natwar rules out resignation.

Nov 7: Government orders judicial probe. Congress writes to Annan asking for all relevant document in Volcker report. NDA leaders meet President, seek Natwar's removal. It also seeks documents from UN to nail the Congress and Natwar. Later in the day, Natwar meets the prime minister after which he is made minister without portfolio.